UptownLife.Net - Finest: Ben Robinson

These days, Ben Robinson's life is all about finding the right shot. After devoting years to meticulously poring over large financial figures for others, the former full-time CPA realized that things weren't adding up. “I wasn't happy,” he says.

So, at 29, the native New Yorker ditched his job and returned to class. After matriculating through New York University’s much-lauded film school, he faced an even more daunting task: finding employment.

Opportunities were so limited that the double-degreed graduate was forced to take a gig loading videotapes for Law & Order. “Out of a crew of 300 people, there were [only] four or five blacks,” he says of the experience. “I had a vision that I could change that.”

In 2002, Robinson, now 38, cofounded Just Life Productions (JLP), a television and film production company geared toward bringing urban perspectives to the screen. Today, JLP boasts more than $1 million in annual revenue and has completed a wide range of film projects, from a PBS documentary to concerts for recording artists such as Usher and Swizz Beatz.

Robinson has also shared his good fortune with his community. For the past three years, Robinson and his JLP team have been going into middle schools to teach urban youth about film-related careers, such as screenwriting, directing, and producing. Under Robinson s tutelage, each team creates a film project and then presents it at the end of the course. This year, Robinson's program has been added to the curriculum of six public schools in the New York area. “I’d love to see it in every school,” he says.

“It’s about showing them they have options. They’re shocked to learn they can make $2,900 in 10 hours on set.” And, even more important than money, the children completing Robinson s program will be well equipped to shape the media content of tomorrow, from a minority perspective. The kids seem to like the notion—he’s never lost a student.

Clearly, Robinson s mantra, “We make things happen,” is aproppos. Fortunately, he’s not just making things happen for himself. –S. Tia Brown

"The man who loves children, except his own!"
written by Antoinette Lee, July 23, 2008

Your piece on Ben Robinson is fascinating. He is depicted as the man who loves children and makes things happen. Well, he has a 10 year old son who he does not pay child support for as his son can count the time he saw his "father" on one hand in his lifetime. Funny, how he makes things happen for other children, because his son is still waiting for things to happen for him. And by the way, his change of careers, was getting fired from the poice department. Wow, he really looks good in this picture, maybe my son can keep it to see what his "father" looks like.

...
written by Mark Price, October 24, 2008

It's like a crab in a barrel we will always continue to bring our own down. It's truly unfortunate that this sister chose to belittle Mr. Robinson. I just hope that he keeps doing the hard work he's doing and dust off the hate and remember they talked about Jesus. And for you sister, GET A LIFE!!!

"He's the father I never had"
written by Jamal Thomas, October 25, 2008

My name is Jamal, and I'm one of the students that went through Mr. Robinson's program. Mr. Robinson help me in so many ways. He help me get in college, he listen to me and he always was there for me. I'm so thankful to have met Mr. Robinson and his program also gave me the tools to be in the film industry. My hat goes off to you, Mr. Robinson. Thanks for everything, your the BEST!!!

WHY HATE
written by TONYA right, October 27, 2008

Dear miss/mrs lee
Iam very disappointed to know you would write a blog on the web about your personal life, thats the problem with our sisters and bothers always trying to hold one another back. I hope you can take the time out in look at yourself. dont you think your child will see the article one day, do you think when he gets older he's not going to see his dad well your wrong been there already just woman enough not to share it on the internet, are you looking for sympathy. Mr.Robinson has and still doing wonderful things for the children, stop haten and let yours be apart. i dont have respect for sisters that air the dirty laundry on wedsites. did you notices I didn't capitalize your name Lee because you get no respect from me, and i'am a sisters just like you.

Pleased to see a brother striving.
written by Nurse, October 27, 2008

I've seen Mr. Robinson work and dam brother your doing your thing, keep up the good work.

Happy to have you in my life.
written by Travis, October 27, 2008

Ben i just want to thank you for all the hard work you made me do, man it paid off at the end.Iam so glad i meet you, My life is wonderful now iam doing big things. Thanks